Different eras. Holmes is set at a time when profanity wasn't really used (In the Lit. of the time) whereas Cognition is set in modern times where it would be highly unusual if it *wasnt* used. I find it less shocking as its overuse has diluted its effect to a large degree.

Oddly, swearing at work/home doesn't even register but if I hear someone f'in and blinding in the street that jars more for some reason.

Cognition game-whats with all the swear words? You don't hear Sherlock using those words. A real turnoff.

Some developers feel they have to have swearing to make the game "realistic" -- even if the game isn't realistic in other ways.

About the only thing you can do if you're put off by excessive swearing in a game is to ask about how much swearing there is in the game before buying -- and then not buy it if there's too much. If a developer has put too much swearing in one of their games, be sure to ask about their other games before purchase.